Gridiron Titan: The Rise of Deimon - eyeshield 21 fanfic

The crowd roared as the game kicked off, the ball soaring through the air toward the Deimon Devil Bats. Sena, disguised as Eyeshield 21, caught the kickoff cleanly, tucking the ball and sprinting upfield. He was brought down quickly, and the Devil Bats started their first drive from their own 25-yard line.

Hiruma, ever the cunning quarterback, called the plays with a sinister grin. On the first down, he attempted a short pass to a no-name receiver, but the ball was swatted away by Ojo's defense. On the second down, another quick throw ended with minimal yardage gained.

Now at 3rd and 4, the Devil Bats needed a breakthrough. Hiruma barked the play, and the offensive line set up. "Eyeshield, it's on you!" Hiruma snapped, handing the ball off to Sena.

Sena burst into action, his legs churning at a speed of 4.6 seconds for the 40-yard dash. Though he wasn't going at full speed, he was fast enough to make the most of the blocks TJ was clearing ahead of him. TJ engaged with Ojo defenders, using his sheer strength to create a path for Sena to run through.

With a quick sidestep, Sena broke into the open field. The gap widened as he maintained his controlled but swift pace, moving faster than anyone could catch up. TJ continued to clear out defenders with powerful hits, helping Sena race down the sideline. The 70-yard dash into the end zone was smooth, and Sena crossed the goal line without anyone near him. The crowd erupted in cheers as the Devil Bats put six on the board. Hiruma, with a devilish grin, signaled for a two-point conversion, a necessity given their lack of a reliable kicker.

For the conversion, Hiruma faked a pass before darting into the end zone himself, adding two more points and making the score 8-0.

Now, it was Ojo White Knights' turn. Their quarterback, Ichiro Takami, calmly stepped onto the field, signaling to his team. The first few plays showcased their efficiency. Takami connected with Sakuraba for short gains, their chemistry evident as they marched down the field. The battle in the trenches was fierce, with Kurita holding his ground against Ojo's formidable center, Otawara.

The game was intense, with both teams pushing hard. On a critical play, Takami dropped back and scanned the field. Spotting Sakuraba cutting across the middle, he fired a pass. It looked like a sure completion until TJ leaped in front, intercepting the ball with a thunderous grab.

The crowd gasped as TJ tucked the ball and surged forward. He bulldozed through would-be tacklers, stiff-arming one Ojo player after another. His speed and power were unmatched, and the field seemed to part before him as he stormed into the end zone, securing a defensive touchdown.

The Devil Bats' sideline erupted in celebration as the score extended to 14-0. Hiruma's grin widened, knowing they had caught Ojo off-guard. The first quarter ended with Deimon leading, and a wave of excitement rolled through the stadium.

The first quarter ended, and Ojo's coach, Gunpei Shoji, stood with his arms crossed, watching his team with a furrowed brow. The White Knights had been caught off guard by the Deimon Devil Bats' aggressive play, and he wasn't pleased with how things were unfolding. As his players jogged to the sideline, he turned to Shin and Sakuraba, who were standing by.

"Shin, what do you think of Eyeshield 21 and number 22? You've seen them in action now," Coach Shoji asked, his tone curious but laced with seriousness.

Shin, standing tall with a calculating expression, tilted his head slightly and replied. "Eyeshield 21... he's fast. Very fast. But he lacks experience. I can tell by his movements that he hasn't been playing this sport for long. He's raw, unrefined in terms of technique, and it's clear he's not fully aware of the intricacies of the game. But he's a natural athlete—dangerous, in the right circumstances."

Shoji nodded slowly, absorbing Shin's analysis. "What do you mean by dangerous?" he pressed, still unsure whether Eyeshield 21 was a true threat or just a product of some luck and speed.

Shin's eyes narrowed slightly, still studying the game. "He's a wildcard. If you underestimate him because of his lack of experience, he'll burn you. His speed is his weapon, but it's not just about how fast he is. It's how he uses that speed, like a dagger—quick, cutting through gaps. If they continue to use him like that, I can see him becoming a real problem, especially in open space. If we let him break free again, it'll be trouble."

Coach Shoji rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Got it. Keep an eye on him. We can't let him take over this game."

"Right," Shin agreed, his focus sharpening. "But Eyeshield 21 isn't the only issue."

Shoji raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Shin pointed across the field to where number 22, TJ, was lined up with the defense. "Number 22... He's a different kind of problem. A lot bigger than the others, and not just in size. His speed? Unbelievable for someone his size. His movements are deliberate, and he's incredibly powerful. Watching him on the defensive end, he's always in the right place at the right time. He's a linebacker, but he's as agile as any receiver or running back. And when he's running with the ball, it's like a freight train coming at you."

Sakuraba, who had been listening intently, chimed in. "The way he stiff-armed those Ojo players? That was no fluke. He's got strength and technique. Not many people could pull that off at that speed."

Coach Shoji's expression darkened. "Sounds like a true threat. What do you think, Shin? Can we handle him?"

Shin's gaze never left TJ as he watched him on the field. "I'm not sure. He's a formidable player, and from what I've seen so far, he's the one that will require our full attention. If he keeps playing like this, he'll become the focal point of Deimon's offense. I don't know if the White Knights can handle him without putting everything we have into stopping him. He's not just another player; he's a game-changer."

Coach Shoji stood silently for a moment, his mind working through Shin's assessment. "So, what do we do?"

Shin's eyes were sharp now, full of intensity. "We need to force him to make mistakes. Take away his comfort zone. But at the same time, be cautious. He'll try to take over if given the chance. That's how dangerous he is."

Sakuraba nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'll help wherever I can, but I think Shin is right. If we don't contain number 22, they'll be unstoppable."

Shoji let out a slow breath. "I get it. So, we make a plan to neutralize both Eyeshield 21 and number 22, but for now, focus on our offense. We'll put up enough points to make them chase us."

Shin turned to Shoji, locking eyes. "You'll need to go all out on number 22. Trust me, Coach. He's the one who can turn this game around. I'll take care of Eyeshield 21 on defense, but you need to make sure the offense is prepared for number 22's physicality and unpredictability."

Shoji gave a tight nod, signaling his understanding. "All right, we'll be ready. I'll make sure the team knows what to do."

The whistle blew to signal the start of the second quarter, but as the teams began to line up, Coach Shoji stood still for a moment, staring across the field at TJ and Eyeshield 21. He knew his team had their work cut out for them. Deimon wasn't just a team full of unknowns—they had a couple of players who could change the course of the game with every play.

Hiruma stood on the sideline, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the field. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by a focused, calculating expression. His mind was working at full speed, reading every play, every move, and every shift in the White Knights' defense. He could feel the momentum shifting.

"They've caught on," Hiruma muttered to himself, barely above a whisper, as he watched Shin and Sakuraba conversing with Coach Shoji from the opposite sideline. "They're already adjusting to Eyeshield 21, and now they're zeroing in on number 22."

He could see the subtle change in the White Knights' defense. The pressure on Sena was mounting—he was being kept in check, and Shin was starting to make his move. Hiruma's eyes flicked over to the White Knights' sidelines again, where Coach Shoji was deep in conversation with his key players. It was clear they had figured out their game plan.

He turned to Kurita, who was standing next to him, looking just as tense. "Kurita, keep an eye on their defensive shifts. They're onto Eyeshield 21's speed, and they're starting to clog up the running lanes."

Kurita nodded, sweat starting to bead on his forehead. "I'm trying, but their front line is solid. They've made a few adjustments."

Hiruma scanned the field once more. "They know we're pulling the strings with those two players. Eyeshield 21's speed? No longer a surprise. Number 22's power? It's getting to them. They're going to send Shin in next."

Kurita glanced over at Hiruma, furrowing his brow. "Shin's coming in?"

Hiruma didn't even look back at Kurita as he answered. "Yep. They've been scouting us. Now that they know who the real threats are, they'll put their ace on the field. They're smart, but they can't hold him forever. We'll just need to be more unpredictable." He gave Kurita a sly grin, showing no signs of fear. "Let's turn the tables before they catch onto our next move."

He turned back to the field, narrowing his eyes at the sight of Shin standing at the edge, obviously preparing for his entry into the game. Hiruma's mind whirred. He had already thought up a new strategy—one that would keep Ojo guessing.

"Looks like the fun's just begun," Hiruma muttered to himself, his hand gripping the whistle around his neck. He wasn't about to let Shin or anyone else dictate the pace of this game. Not on his watch.

With a glance at Sena and TJ, Hiruma's grin returned. "Time to test the White Knights' defenses. We've got a few more tricks to play. Let's see how they handle the real storm."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a small notebook, where he had meticulously written down his strategies for this exact scenario. He flipped through the pages, finding a play designed to push Shin to his limits. He'd been planning for this moment, for the second quarter. It was time to switch things up.

As the second quarter was about to begin, Hiruma's finger tapped the edge of his playbook. He called out to his players.

"Alright, no more games, boys! We're taking this to the next level!" Hiruma's voice rang out over the sideline, drawing the attention of his team. "Sena, TJ, get ready. We're going to show Ojo what happens when you underestimate us. Eyeshield 21, you're going to take them on the outside. Number 22, we're opening up the middle for you. Get your heads in the game."

Sena, still nervous but eager to prove himself, nodded as he adjusted his helmet. "Got it, Hiruma!"

TJ, always eager for the action, grinned as he tapped his cleats on the turf. "You got it, Hiruma. I'll take care of business."

Hiruma turned his attention back to the field, his eyes locked on Shin, who was now stepping onto the field. A small, almost imperceptible chuckle escaped Hiruma's lips. He could feel the game shifting in his favor. It wasn't about what Ojo expected—it was about what Deimon could make them fear.

"Let's see how long Shin lasts when we turn up the heat," Hiruma muttered under his breath as the whistle blew to start the second quarter.

The game was far from over, and Hiruma was ready to show Ojo the full extent of what his Devil Bats could do.